Navratri Samak Rice Pulao (Fluffy, One-Pot, Vrat Friendly)

on

 


Samak rice isn’t rice at all. It’s barnyard millet, which is why it’s allowed during Navratri fasting. It cooks quickly and works well as a one-pot pulao. This version has cumin, green chilli and ginger for flavor, potato and peanuts for body, and lemon to finish. After a short soak, it’s ready in about 20 minutes.


Recipe used

  • 1 cup samak rice (barnyard millet)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 medium potato, in small cubes
  • 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 green chillies, slit
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • Rock salt (sendha namak) to taste
  • 1 tsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped coriander to finish

Method:

  1. Rinse the samak rice well and soak for 15 minutes. Drain.
  2. Heat the ghee and add cumin, chillies and ginger. Add the potato and peanuts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add the rice, rock salt and 2 cups hot water. Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
  4. Rest covered for 5 minutes, fluff gently, and finish with lemon and coriander.

Tips for fluffy pulao: 

  • Start with 2 cups of water for 1 cup of samak rice. Brands differ, so add a splash if it looks dry.
  • Stir as little as possible once the water is in, because over-stirring breaks the grains.
  • Let it rest covered for 5 minutes so the grains firm up.
  • Serve with curd or a simple raita.
  • Allowed ingredients vary by family and region, so adjust the seasoning to match yours.
Save this for your next fasting day, and tell me in the comments how it turned out.

Comments

Post a Comment